A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM APPROACH TO OPTIMIZATION OF ROAD NETWORK IN ADO EKITI, NIGERIA

Abstract

The increasing demand for transportation due to rapid urbanization causes great stress to urban road infrastructures which in turn leads to traffic congestion in developing cities like Ado Ekiti in Nigeria. The ease to effectively access road and meet with opportunities by citizens has been increasingly difficult under this rapid urbanization due to defective traffic management. Thus, this study has optimized the existing road network using Geographic Information System (GIS) approach; in order to reduce travel time, fuel consumption and ensure safety. Reconnaissance survey was conducted with a view to properly assess the traffic situation in Ado Ekiti Township taking into consideration the scenario at the intersections. Data on high resolution satellite imageries of Ado Ekiti was collected from Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Survey (RECTAS) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). The topographical and street guide maps were collected, from the Ministry of Works and Transportation, Ministry of Lands and Housing and Ado-Ekiti Local Government respectively. Traffic volume which was calculated in passenger car units (PCU) per hour was captured and metered using cine camera placed at vantage positions from the roadside during peak and off-peak periods on weekdays. The geospatial datasets were geo-referenced, linked with attribute database, and a traffic flow map was generated using the ArcGIS software to present the volumes on intersections. The ArcGIS 10.2 was used for digitizing the topographical map and the images; Microsoft Visio was used for designing some of the Figures, Microsoft Access for building the database, and Microsoft Excel for the processing of graphs. The Level of Service at Baptist junction, Post office and Ijigbo junctions respectively are approaching unstable flow. Route optimization around congested junctions were also done. This study therefore recommended re-design of Ejigbo roundabout, re-construction of some roads and provision of information on optimized routes to radio stations for dissemination to public among others for the optimum usage of roads in the study area.